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Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Planning Engineer (Autonomy)

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$123K - $169K/yr

If you have a passion for applying autonomous driving technologies to impact the flow of goods for millions of people, we want to talk to you! We are looking for a Senior Planning Engineer who knows ...

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Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer information

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$59.5K

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$183.5K

How much do senior autonomous driving engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior autonomous driving engineer in the United States is $126,557.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,500.00 and $143,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer vs Autonomous Vehicle Software Engineer?

AspectSenior Autonomous Driving EngineerAutonomous Vehicle Software Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's/Master's in Robotics, Computer Science, or related; experience in autonomous systemsBachelor's/Master's in Software Engineering, Computer Science; programming skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, automotive companies, tech firms developing autonomous systemsSoftware development teams, automotive or tech companies working on autonomous vehicle software
Industry UsageDesigning, testing, and integrating autonomous driving featuresDeveloping and maintaining software components for autonomous vehicles
Common Search/ComparisonYesYes

The Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer focuses on leading the development and integration of autonomous driving systems, requiring expertise in robotics and sensor integration. In contrast, the Autonomous Vehicle Software Engineer primarily develops software components for autonomous vehicles, emphasizing programming skills. Both roles are vital in autonomous vehicle development but differ in scope and responsibilities.

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What job categories do people searching Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Senior Autonomous Driving Engineer jobs are:
Sr. Motion Planning and Controls Engineer, Autonomous Driving

Sr. Motion Planning and Controls Engineer, Autonomous Driving

Lucid Motors

Newark, CA

$171K - $251K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 12 days ago


Lucid Motors rating

7.4

Company rating: 7.4 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

17th of 44 rated automakers


Job description

Leading the future in luxury electric and mobility
At Lucid, we set out to introduce the most captivating, luxury electric vehicles that elevate the human experience and transcend the perceived limitations of space, performance, and intelligence. Vehicles that are intuitive, liberating, and designed for the future of mobility.
 
We plan to lead in this new era of luxury electric by returning to the fundamentals of great design where every decision we make is in service of the individual and environment. Because when you are no longer bound by convention, you are free to define your own experience.
 
Come work alongside some of the most accomplished minds in the industry. Beyond providing competitive salaries, were providing a community for innovators who want to make an immediate and significant impact. If you are driven to create a better, more sustainable future, then this is the right place for you.

We are seeking a Sr. Motion Planning and Controls Engineer, Autonomous Driving to design, develop, and deploy industry-leading planning and control algorithms for next-generation driver assistance and autonomous systems. 

This position is based in Newark, CA and requires onsite presence five days a week. 

The Role: 

As a Sr. Motion Planning and Controls Engineer, you will play a key role in developing high-performance motion planning and control features for Lucids ADAS and autonomous driving systems. Youll work across software, hardware, and systems teams to ensure robust design, testing, and deployment of production-grade lateral and longitudinal control algorithms. 

Responsibilities: 

  • Design, prototype, test, and deploy motion planning and control algorithms for ADAS and autonomous driving systems. 
  • Implement state-of-the-art approaches to trajectory planning, route planning, and real-time control. 
  • Develop and tune classical and modern controllers (e.g., LQR, MPC, PID, Adaptive, Robust) for both lateral and longitudinal vehicle dynamics. 
  • Conduct model-based design and validation using MATLAB/Simulink or equivalent tools. 
  • Participate in the full development cycle, from simulation and SIL/HIL testing to in-vehicle implementation and release. 
  • Collaborate closely with systems, validation, perception, and platform teams to ensure safe and seamless software integration. 
  • Contribute to architectural decisions, safety assessments, and product scalability. 

Required Qualifications: 

  • Bachelors degree in Automotive, Aerospace, Mechanical Engineering or a related field (advanced degrees preferred). 
  • 5+ years of experience (with MS) or 3+ years (with PhD) in motion control or trajectory planning for ADAS/Autonomous Driving. 
  • Deep knowledge of control system design and real-time implementation using modern control approaches (e.g., LQR, MPC). 
  • Proven experience deploying lateral and longitudinal controllers in a production or research vehicle environment. 
  • Proficiency in modeling and simulation tools (e.g., MATLAB/Simulink). 
  • Solid understanding of ADAS/AD systems, robotics, and vehicle dynamics. 
  • Strong communication skills and ability to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. 

Preferred Qualifications: 

  • Proficiency in programming languages such as C++, Python, and MATLAB. 
  • Experience with middleware frameworks like ROS. 
  • Familiarity with AUTOSAR and embedded software development practices. 
  • Experience in bench testing, SIL/HIL integration, and scenario-based simulation. 
  • Knowledge of safety standards and automotive system regulations (e.g., ISO 26262). 
  • Background in agile development environments, version control (e.g., Git), and static code analysis. 
Salary Range: The compensation range for this position is specific to the locations listed below and is the range Lucid reasonably and in good faith expects to pay for the position taking into account the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including job-related knowledge; skillset; experience, education and training; certifications; and other relevant business and organizational factors.
 
Additional Compensation and Benefits: Lucid offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in Lucids equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.  (Cash or equity incentive awards, if any, will depend on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and company performance.)
Base Pay Range (Annual)
$171,500—$251,460 USD

Additional Compensation and Benefits: Lucid offers a wide range of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, disability insurance, vacation, and 401k. The successful candidate may also be eligible to participate in Lucids equity program and/or a discretionary annual incentive program, subject to the rules governing such programs.  (Cash or equity incentive awards, if any, will depend on various factors, including, without limitation, individual and company performance.)

By Submitting your application, you understand and agree that your personal data will be processed in accordance with our Candidate Privacy Notice. If you are a California resident, please refer to our California Candidate Privacy Notice.

To all recruitment agencies: Lucid Motors does not accept agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes to our careers alias or other Lucid Motors employees. Lucid Motors is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. 
 

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About Lucid Motors

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Lucid Motors is a highly innovative electric vehicle manufacturer located in Newark, CA, USA. Primarily engaged in the automotive industry, its mission is to elevate electric vehicles' standing and transform the way people travel. The company was founded in 2007 by Bernard Tse and Sam Weng as Atieva, a name under which it initially focused on battery technology. However, it pivoted towards automotive manufacturing and rebranded as Lucid Motors in 2016. The company is committed to making luxury, sustainable electric vehicles that break norms and set new standards with top-notch technology and engineering. Their mission aligns with their core values, which are centered around innovation, sustainability, and excellence. Notably, Lucid Motors launched the Lucid Air in 2020, an all-electric sedan well-received for its advanced features and impressive mileage.

Industry

Manufacturing

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Newark, CA, US

Year founded

2007